Designer Kim Young-jin adds modern twist to hanbok

Designer Kim Young-jin gives a lecture during the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) forum at the Indian ambassador's residence in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of CICI

By Dong Sun-hwa

The hanbok pieces, traditional Korean attire, created by Kim Young-jin of Tchai Kim is far from conventional. Kim not only uses a variety of silks to design her outfits but also draws on clothing influences from different countries ― such as France and India ― to add a modern twist.

"We are living in a globalized world where we enjoy foods and cultures of various countries, but I felt that hanbok was trapped within a traditional framework," Kim, the designer behind several hit TV series including "Mr. Sunshine" (2018), said during her lecture on April 19 at the Indian ambassador's residence in Seoul. The lecture was part of the Corea Image Communication Institution's (CICI) Korea CQ Forum which aims to bring together opinion leaders worldwide.

"Restoring our tradition was not enough for me," Kim said. "So I decided to take a bold step and began using a range of modern-day materials to bring life to my hanbok."

Kim added that she was once inspired by Indian designs.

"When I visited India, what impressed me the most was the fact that the designs were so colorful and beautiful. Given that most Korean outfits are achromatic, the Indian clothes became a great well of inspiration for me and I ended up creating hanbok inspired by the sari, the traditional female garment in India."

Kim revealed that "difference" is the key to her artistry.

"The name of my brand 'Tchai' means difference in Korean," she said. "I hope I can live in a world where people overcome differences, understand each other and create harmony."

The Korea CQ Forum was joined by Hungarian Ambassador Mozes Csoma, Bureau Veritas Group Northeast Asia Region Head Joseph Young and General Manager of the Grand InterContinental Hotel Parnas Brian Harris, among others.

From left in the back row are Chung Hyo-jin, interpreter; Oh Young-Jin, president-publisher of The Korea Times; Eugene Bang, founder and chairman of Millenasia; Baek Seung-ju, KBS announcer; Joseph Young, Bureau Veritas Group Northeast Asia Region head, Energy; James Park, director of BIO Plastic Surgery; Richard Choi, CEO of Spoqa; Brian Harris, general manager of the Grand InterContinental Hotel Parnas; and Youn Jung Park, CEO of Mint Tour. From left in the front row are Didier Beltoise, president of Cs; Kim Hye-kyung, vice president of Enzychem Lifesciences ; Kim Young-jin, CEO of Tchai Kim; Sripriya Ranganathan, Indian Ambassador; Choi Jung-wha, president of CICI; Mukund Santhanam, RE 100 strategic advisor; Mozes Csoma, Hungarian Ambassador; and Nam Sun-mi, spouse of Hungarian Ambassador. Courtesy of CICI

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